Find the right bulb for what you need at home

In response to the law phasing out incandescent bulbs for good, manufacturers are producing more light bulb varieties than ever. While they're all touted as 60-watt-soft-white equivalents, we found quite a range in brightness and color. Here, some of the most switch-worthy options.

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1. Bright Away

1. Bright Away

On average, CFLs took 94 seconds to fully brighten in our tests. But GE's Bright From the Start Soft White Hybrid Halogen-CFL 15W ($12.44 for two) solves this problem, combining the instant-on illumination of a halogen with the superior energy efficiency of a CFL. We found that it is 485% more efficient than a traditional bulb.* Claimed life span: 8,000 hours (about seven years).

*We gauged efficiency based on the most usable light emitted per watt within a 220-degree arc from a bulb

Ben Goldstein/Studio D

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2. People-Pleaser

2. People-Pleaser

The light cast from the dimmable GE Crystal Clear Halogen A19 43W Bulb ($5 for two) rated highest with our testers, who even preferred it to that of the traditional soft white incandescent bulb — and we found it 43% more efficient.* Claimed life span: 1,000 hours (about a year), but the one we're cycling on and off has lasted 1,500 hours and counting.

*We gauged efficiency based on the most usable light emitted per watt within a 220-degree arc from a bulb

1. Bright Away

On average, CFLs took 94 seconds to fully brighten in our tests. But GE's Bright From the Start Soft White Hybrid Halogen-CFL 15W ($12.44 for two) solves this problem, combining the instant-on illumination of a halogen with the superior energy efficiency of a CFL. We found that it is 485% more efficient than a traditional bulb.* Claimed life span: 8,000 hours (about seven years).

*We gauged efficiency based on the most usable light emitted per watt within a 220-degree arc from a bulb

Ben Goldstein/Studio D

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2. People-Pleaser

The light cast from the dimmable GE Crystal Clear Halogen A19 43W Bulb ($5 for two) rated highest with our testers, who even preferred it to that of the traditional soft white incandescent bulb — and we found it 43% more efficient.* Claimed life span: 1,000 hours (about a year), but the one we're cycling on and off has lasted 1,500 hours and counting.

*We gauged efficiency based on the most usable light emitted per watt within a 220-degree arc from a bulb

Ben Goldstein/Studio D

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3. Super Spirals

Philips' Energy Saver Mini Twister 13W in Soft White ($8 for four) brightens quickly for a CFL: in 45 seconds. Feit's Soft White Ecobulb Plus 13W ($4) was a crowd fave, but takes two minutes to warm up. In terms of efficiency, these rated even better on our test than the winning LEDs — 587% and 593% more efficient, respectively, than an incandescent.* Claimed life spans: 10,000 and 12,000 hours (about nine and 11 years).

*We gauged efficiency based on the most usable light emitted per watt within a 220-degree arc from a bulb

Ben Goldstein/Studio D

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4. Worthy Led

Don't let the yellow exterior of Philips' AmbientLED A19 12.5W ($25) turn you off — it emits a lovely soft-white glow. It's also dimmable and does an excellent job of spreading light uniformly in all directions — no small feat for an LED, which generally produces more directional light. Per our tests, it's 512% more efficient than a 60-watt bulb.* Claimed life span: 25,000 hours (about 23 years).

*We gauged efficiency based on the most usable light emitted per watt within a 220-degree arc from a bulb

Ben Goldstein/Studio D

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5. Led By A Mile

Consumers loved the brighter white of EcoSmart LED A19 13W ($25), which cast light impressively evenly in all directions. Our tests revealed it to be 501% more efficient than a comparable incandescent* — and it's even brighter. Claimed life span: 25,000 hours (about 23 years).

*We gauged efficiency based on the most usable light emitted per watt within a 220-degree arc from a bulb

Ben Goldstein/Studio D

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How We Tested

We tested 28 soft white halogen, compact fluorescent (CFL), and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs that claimed light output similar to that of best-selling, traditional 60-watt incandescents. Our engineers measured each bulb's brightness, the evenness of its illumination, the time it took to fully brighten (CFLs are known to have a "warm-up" period), its energy efficiency, and its endurance. We also asked consumers to rate light quality — yes, these technologies produce light you'll actually like.

To test how long-lasting these new bulbs are, GHRI Test Engineer Erik Eibert left one set blazing and made an apparatus to turn a second set on and off at 15-minute intervals (frequently turning CFLs on and off shortens their lives). In this accelerated test, all 17 exceeded expected life span.

GHRI Insight: CFLs are currently the best value. Their electricity usage is comparable to LEDs'; while they have about a third the life span, three still cost a lot less than one LED (on average, $9, versus $25). That said, the price of Philips' AmbientLED (4) has dropped by more than a third since its launch. Stay tuned.